Discumentary
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Discumentary: Tom Waits "The Heart of Saturday Night"Tom Waits was in the process of creating his distinctive stage persona at the time of his second studio release. "The Heart of Saturday Night" finds Waits trading in his earlier folk-rock arrangements for a 1950s West Coast style of jazz and Waits' newly evolving gruff vocal presentation. Find out more about Discumentary: Tom Waits "The Heart of Saturday Night" » |
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Discumentary: The Pretenders "Learning To Crawl"Recovering from the deaths of two of their band members, Chrissie Hynde reinvented the Pretenders with "Learning to Crawl." Her lyrics are more emotional here, but never depressing, as the Pretenders rock out in top form. Find out more about Discumentary: The Pretenders "Learning To Crawl" » |
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Discumentary: Tom Waits "Swordfishtrombones"His record label considered this album much stranger than his previous albums so they dropped Tom Waits and he took his work elsewhere. Island Records signed him and released the album in 1983 to a warm reception from fans and critics. Known for the varieties of percussion and horn experimentation, "Swordfishtrombones" was the genesis of Waits' signature sound. Find out more about Discumentary: Tom Waits "Swordfishtrombones" » |
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Discumentary: George Harrison "Brainwashed"George Harrison was working on this album up until he died in 2001. It was completed by his son Dhani and Jeff Lynne from a set of thorough notes that George Harrison left behind. Released a year after his death, it is hailed as some of Harrison's best work. Find out more about Discumentary: George Harrison "Brainwashed" » |
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Discumentary: Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers "Conscious Party"This is the breakout album for Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, it includes the single "Tomorrow People." Produced by Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club members Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz, this album is one of the top-selling reggae albums ever. Find out more about Discumentary: Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers "Conscious Party" » |
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Discumentary: Joe Jackson "Night and Day"Joe Jackson's 5th release, Night & Day, was released in 1982 and marked a departure from his earlier work. The title, taken from a Cole Porter song, reflected a new sophistication in songwriting and garnered Jackson two of his biggest hit songs, "Breaking Us In Two" and "Steppin Out." Find out more about Discumentary: Joe Jackson "Night and Day" » |
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Discumentary: Tracy Chapman "Tracy Chapman"In spirit of the singer-songwriter tradition that was beginning to resurface, Chapman's debut album sits comfortably alongside such names as Natalie Merchant and Suzanne Vega. The album is largely political in nature, dealing with issues such as racism, violence against women, and poverty. Find out more about Discumentary: Tracy Chapman "Tracy Chapman" » |
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Discumentary: Beth Orton "Central Reservation"Orton's sophomore release took a step back from her earlier "folktronica" leanings and brought an album that was more organic in sound. This allowed for a focus on her excellent songwriting and performance, enhanced by guest artists like Dr. John, Terry Callier and Ben Harper. Find out more about Discumentary: Beth Orton "Central Reservation" » |
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Discumentary: David Bowie "Ziggy Stardust"Part glam rock, part progressive rock, Bowie's classic redefined himself in the UK and made him a hit for the first time in the US. Find out more about Discumentary: David Bowie "Ziggy Stardust" » |
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Discumentary: Simon and Garfunkel "Bookends"Following the success of the Graduate, Simon and Garfunkel put together a well crafted folk album featuring Simon's poignant lyrics and Garfunkel's elusive vocals. The album featured a completed and re-arranged version of Mrs. Robinson, the hit song America, and a recording of old people simply called Voices of Old People. Find out more about Discumentary: Simon and Garfunkel "Bookends" » |
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Discumentary: Patti Smith "Horses"Patti Smith's groundbreaking debut album, often called the first art punk album. Smith's fusion of poetry and music defines a unique style that she continues to develop to this day. |
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Discumentary: Taj Mahal "The Natch'l Blues"Taj Mahal released his second album in the fall of 1968. Building on his multi-cultural approach to the blues these songs feature elements of Delta blues but also include an expanding range of influences including rock and country. Find out more about Discumentary: Taj Mahal "The Natch'l Blues" » |
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Discumentary: Ben Folds Five "Ben Folds Five"Even though they were a trio, the Ben Folds Five formed in North Carolina and released this as their debut. It bridged the gap between piano rock and alternative rock, and paving the way for their breakout success. Find out more about Discumentary: Ben Folds Five "Ben Folds Five" » |
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Discumentary: The B-52's "The B-52's"The B-52's were unlike anything out there when they released their debut album, the band's unique approach made them a hit, and had songs like "Rock Lobster" and "Planet Claire" spinning at parties all over the world. |
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Discumentary: Sarah McLachlan "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy"With only a small cult following in the U.S., Sarah McLachlan released this album and watched her star rise. The album features one of her best-known songs, "Posession" about obsession from a stalker's perspective. Find out more about Discumentary: Sarah McLachlan "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" » |
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Discumentary: Iris DeMent Infamous AngelIris DeMent's debut album became a success mostly due to the rave reviews it received, many critics called it an instant classic. The reviews led to DeMent signing a contract with Warner Brothers who re-released the disc in 1993. The album features guest appearances by Emmylou Harris and Iris' mother, Flora Mae. Find out more about Discumentary: Iris DeMent Infamous Angel » |
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Discumentary: Bruce Springsteen "Darkness on the Edge of Town"Although it was not his most popular album, Springsteen released this one just as he was winding down from the success of "Born to Run". With more than 30 unused songs written, he picked these 10, each tell stories of life in working class America. Find out more about Discumentary: Bruce Springsteen "Darkness on the Edge of Town" » |
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Discumentary: Victoria Williams "Loose"Before this album, Victoria Williams was pretty much a musician's musician. Her unique and unusual singing voice as well as her songwriting grabbed her a devout following. A tribute album that came out just before Loose raised money to pay for it. Find out more about Discumentary: Victoria Williams "Loose" » |
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Discumentary: Steely Dan "Pretzel Logic"In 1974 Steely Dan was structured as a standard band consisting of Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, Denny Dias, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, and Victor Feldman. Under the guidance of producer Gary Katz the band's songs became more complex and featured a tribute to Charlie Parker and a cover of a Duke Ellington instrumental. "Pretzel Logic" was a critical and commercial success and won the band its first top 10 single with "Rikki Don't Lose That Number." Find out more about Discumentary: Steely Dan "Pretzel Logic" » |
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Discumentary: R.E.M. "Life's Rich Pageant"University of Georgia dropouts Bill Berry, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Michael Stipe recorded "Lifes Rich Pageant" in 1986, their fourth album on IRS Records. The album produced the single, "Cuyahoga" and solidified them in the college rock world. Find out more about Discumentary: R.E.M. "Life's Rich Pageant" » |
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Discumentary: The Story "Angel in the House"Amherst College English majors Jonatha Brooke and Jennifer Kimball performed in various Boston venues and coffeehouses during their school days. They went their separate ways after graduating in the 1980s, but reunited to record as The Story. The album was released on Green Linnet and produced by Brooke's then-husband Alain Mallet. Find out more about Discumentary: The Story "Angel in the House" » |
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Discumentary: The Smashing Pumkins "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness"The Smashing Pumpkins third release is also a double-disc containing 28 tracks. Produced by Flood, they set out to record this album as if it was their last. The band explores a range of musical styles throughout the album from the gentle orchestral pop of "Tonight, Tonight" to the angst-y guitar rock of "Bullet with Butterfly Wings". Find out more about Discumentary: The Smashing Pumkins "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" » |
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Discumentary: The Mavericks "Trampoline"Going out on a limb, country radio hitmakers the Mavericks traded in their scaled down production for horns, a string section and a latin-inspired sound. This Discumentary includes excerpts from a WYEP interview with frontman Raul Malo. Find out more about Discumentary: The Mavericks "Trampoline" » |
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Discumentary: My Morning Jacket "It Still Moves"With the release of "It Still Moves", My Morning Jacket had arrived. The album featured epic tales laid out over an arrangement of sparse chords, echoing reverb and Jim Jones' high lonesome vocals and lead some critics to call the band's sound 'Southern Psych'. Find out more about Discumentary: My Morning Jacket "It Still Moves" » |
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Discumentary: Bob Dylan "Time Out Of Mind""Time Out of Mind" is Dylan's 29th studio record and first album since 1990. Produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Brian Eno) the album featured dark lyrics and more blues and country style songs. It marked a comeback for Dylan in the 90's and spawned the hits "Lovesick" and "Not Dark Yet". Find out more about Discumentary: Bob Dylan "Time Out Of Mind" » |
